Valve and dispensing apparatus for pressure containers and the like



March 17, 1959 D` D. MICHEL A ,877,936

VALVE AND DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR PRESSURE lCONTAINERS AND THE LIKE Original Filed June 4, 1954 v A f A A .v ...JU Il." 9.....'1., n m nun-mmm 62 I I JNVENTOR.

United States Patent VALVE AND DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR PRES- SURE CUNTAINERS AND THE LIKE David Daniel Michel, Chicago, lll.

Original application June 4, 1954, Serial No. 434,470. Divided and this application September 26, 1958Serial No. 763,496

4 Claims. (Cl. 222-294) This invention relates to improved dispensing apparatus and more particularly to an improved valve and disimproved dispensing apparatus for use with any fluent product, either liquid, gaseous, or comminuted solids, said apparatus being characterized by the simplicity of the various elements and the ease with which said elements may be assembled.

There are many prior art teachings which describe devices for dispensing a liuent product. All of these, however, include detrimental characteristics which render the devices unsatisfactory under certain conditions. It is believed that the instant teaching overcomes all of these detriments. Many of the prior art dispensers were subject to accidental discharge, either of the propellant or of the combined product and propellant. Furthermore, certain prior art structuresV which included means for preventing such accidental discharge produced concomitant effects such as wear or. damage to the parts or additional complex parts and assemblies which render the entire structure expensive and unweildy. When dispensers of the general type herein described are used over a long period of time, as when the product dispensed is shaving cream or the like, it is essential that no metal parts subject to rust or corrosion are externally exposed whereby objectionable corrosive deposits will collect in and around lthe dispenser. v p n Furthermore, it is desirable to provide a dispenser which will intimately mix the product and propellant and eciently dispense the combination without permitting discharge of isolated propellant or leaving a substantial amount of the product yin the container which will not dispense in the normal manner.

Dispensers of this type are generally used with a fluid product and a volatile or gaseous propellant confined within an associated container under substantial pressure. However, this disclosure is not limited in its usefulness to any particular product or propellant, and may, for example, use a comminuted product, such as a tine powder and may use gravity as the only dispensing force.

` It is therefore a further object of this invention to provide an improved dispensing valve construction which is not subject to accidental 'discharge or excessive leakage.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved valve and cover assembly having a plurality ofl seals arranged seriatim to insure against leakage and accidental discharge.

It is an additional object of this invention tov provide' a valve mechanism which is normally closed whereby no leakage will occur irrespective of the pressure within the" associated container.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a valve assembly having a minimum number of parts of simple construction.

- It is another object of this invention to provide an 1mapplied proved dispensing valve producing a predtermined constant pressure gradient along the nozzle thereof.

It Ais a further object of thisy invention to provide a dispenser having a nozzle of gradually increasing crosssectional area along the discharge 'path whereby the product and propellant gradually expand and intimately mix to increase the efficiency of the propellant as a propelling and aerating agent.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved liquid product dispenser in which no unnished metal parts subject to corrosion or deterioration are exposed either kin the original manufactured product or as a result of wear or deterioration of the parts.

It is still another object of this invention to provide means for sealing the nozzle of a liquid product dispenser to prevent loss of product or propellant, to prevent accidental operation of the dispensentand to enclose the entire nozzle area when the dispenser is not in use.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a single deformable element to provide both a valve seat l. and a resilient diaphragm having a generally spherical nature to insure the sealing of a stem in said valve seat.

It is another object of this invention to provide im` proved means to facilitate the assembly of the various valve elements and to insure the proper disposition of said elements in an associated container.

Further and additional objects of the invention will become manifest from a consideration of this specification', the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

In one form of this invention an improved dispenser for a liquid product and gaseous propellant is mounted on a can capable of withstanding substantial pressure. vMore particularly the dispenser comprises a two piece valve assembly and a cover therefor in which the discharge of the contents of the container is effected by tilting the valve assembly transversely from its normal axis whereby the liquid product is discharged through a frusto-conical central aperture in the valve stem. The valve seat is so constructed that it, in addition to providinug a seal for said container, is constructed of a resilientmaterial and functions as a means` Vto urge the associated stem into sealing engagement with said seat and is also adapted to facilitate the rigid assembly of the two piece valve mechanism in the container. The cover portion associated with the valve threadably engages the valve stern and seals' the outer end of the frusto-conical aperture therein, whereby leakage of the container contents is prevented. f

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates one embodiment of this linvention in elevationwith a portion of the cover therefor shown in section; a

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Fig.V 1;

'Fig 3 is a'transverse sectional view taken through the upper portion of the embodiment of Fig. 1 along the line 3 3 thereof;

- Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3,;

vFig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Fig..l taken along the line S-Sof Fig.- 3;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 showing the valve stem angularly shifted to effect discharge ofA the contents of an associated ycontainer;

Fig'. 7 partially illustrates the described embodiment to an alternate can construction; and

Fig. 8 illustrates the described embodiment lapplied to glass container.

Referring now to the drawings and ymore particularly to Figs. l and 2, a can 10 is provided having a central 'aperture' therein which receives a" ca'p26 having a valve `v and nozzle assembly 12 mounted therein to which -a cover 14 is threadably secured. The can 10 may be any one of a plurality of available types provided only that it be capable of withstanding pressures of several atmospheres and be adapted to receive a valve mechanism constructed in accordance with this disclosure. The cover 14 will generally enclose the entire valve and nozzle mechanism 12 whereby the nozzle area is maintained clean and sanitary, and accidental tilting of the nozzle which would cause accidental discharge is prevented.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3 the valve assembly 12 includes two basic parts, the stem and nozzle 20 and the seat 30. The cover 14 has a central cavity 16 therein which has a threaded portion 18 adapted to receive a correspondingly threaded portion of the nozzle 20. The cap and nozzle are so designed that the uppermost portion 22 of the nozzle engages the inner surface of the top of cover 14 in sealing engagement whereby the product and propellant will not be inadvertently discharged. In the event that a notched or slotted nozzle is used to provide decorative shapes in the expelled product, the uppermost portion of the nozzle may engage the cap whereby a seal is provided in the threaded portions of the stem and cover or in the alternative a snap-on cap may be employed similar to the cap shown in my Patent No. 2,562,111, issued July 24, 1951. The cover 14 has a flared portion 24 depending therefrom, said flared portion Ibeing adapted to enclose the entire valve and nozzle assembly. The cover may be tinted, ribbed, or otherwise shaped in any convenient manner to provide surfaces which are readily engageable by a user for removal of the cover.

As shown in Fig. 3 the flared portion does not engage the can or the metal cap 26 which provides a closure for said can but is in close prximity to therlip 28 formed at the edge of said cap whereby accidental tilting of the valve mechanism will beprevented. It is not essential that clearance be provided between the flared portion 24 and the lip 28 but these members may be in static contact. It is, however, considered undesirable that the flared portion 24 engage the lip 28 with any substantial force, as this produces two undesirable effects. Such engagement will not only reduce the force of the seal between the nozzle 20 and the cover 14 Ibut will also damage the metal portions of the can and the cap whereby the finish is removed therefrom, rendering the entire device subject to corrosion and deterioration. The valve stem 20 and the cover 14 are in this embodiment formed of an infiexible moldable plastic material while the valve seat 30 is composed of a flexible material either rubber or a synthetic plastic, and the can 10 'and cap 26 are of metal, usually black iron.

The central opening at the top of can 10 is of substantial diameter with a bead 32 of generally round cross section surrounding said opening. The cap 26 has 'a configuration as shown in Fig. 3, including a central web 27 and a generally U-shaped annular flange 28 formed thereabout. The flange 28 rests on the bead 32 formed in can 10. A small deposit of plastic sealing material 34 is contained within the flange 28 and seals said flange to the bead 32 when the cap is crimped in a predetermined manner. The cap 26 is originally manufactured having a vertical side wall 29 forming a part of the U- shaped flange 28. The wall 29 is generally straight whereby the side wall is receivable inside of the bead 32. By applying a radial force to the vertical wall 34 with an appropriate forming tool, the wall is forced outwardly at point 36 whereby the cap 26 is forced into sealing engagement with the bead 32. The web 27 of cap 26 has a central aperture therein about which a vertical flange 38 is formed. The flange 38 is adapted to 'engage the deformable valve seat 30 in a manner which will be explained.

The valve seat 30 has a cross-sectional configuration as shown clearly in Figs. 3 and 6. The seat 30 has a 4 base portion 40 which engages the inner surface of web 27 and a generally tubular portion extending upwardly therefrom. The base portion 40 is of substantial diameter and has a flat surface of substantial area in contact with the inner surface of web 27. Thus, the pres- `sure within can 10 increases the tenacity of the seal between these surfaces. The seat has a central aperture to receive the stem 20. The base portion 40 has a central curved surface 42 defining an annular seat at the terminus of the central aperture which is adapted to sealingly engage the frusto-conical plug 52. Tilting of stem 20 produces controlled ow of the contents of the can through the nozzle. A recess 54 is formed about the outer periphery of seat 30 which is adapted to receive the flange 38 of cap 26. The flange 38 is forced into the recess 54 to provide a second seal in addition to the seal formed between seat portion 40 and web 27. This double seal produces several advantages over the prior knownl devices. The nozzle may be vertically depressed for pressure filling without effecting the seal between seat 30 and cap 26. Furthermore, if the nozzle is shifted to a substantial angle, the seat portion 40 may tend to separate from the web 27.y In the devices heretofore known this results in leakage of the product around the edge of cap 26, while with the flange 38 engaged in the recess 54, an intimate seal is maintained irrespective of the degree of tilting.

Formed on the inner axial bore of seat 30 is a tapered annular shoulder 44 which cooperates with the stem 20 to prevent undesired leakage of the product and propellant and also serves as an aid in the assembly of the valve mechanism. The inner diameter of the shoulder 44 is slightly smaller than the outside diameter of stem 20 whereby passage of the product upwardly from this point is prevented. Immediately above the shoulder 44 the seat 30 has an increased diameter with a central cavity 46 formed therein. The shoulder 44 is an important feature of the invention as it provides a seal to prevent the flow of product into the cavity 46 and also prevents leakage of the product to the outside between the shoulder 50 and the seat 30. If product accumulated in the cavity 46, the resiliency of the seat 30 would be impaired and thus the valve might fail to function properly. Immediately above the cavity 46 the valve seat 30 terminates in a substantially flat annular surface 48. The shoulder 50 is formed on the valve stem and nozzle 20 and is adapted to engage the upper surface 48 of seat 30. The length of the stem disposed between the shoulder 50 and the plug 52 is selected in such a manner that uponinsertion of the stem and nozzle 20 through the axial bore in seat 30 the seat will be partially compressed effecting a radial expansion of the cavity 46 whereby the upper surface 48 of seat 30 will apply a vertical axial force to the shoulder 50 effecting a tight seal between the frusto-conical surface of plug 52 and the curved annual surface 42 of seat 30. The use of a valve seat having a curved annular surface at the point of engagement with the plug 52 insures an improved seal under all pressure conditions irrespective of slight irregularities or deformations in the various parts.

In assembling this valve the seat 30 is first forced upwardly through the central aperture in cap 26 whereby the vertical flange 38 formed in the central aperture of cap 26 will engage the corresponding recess 54 in the seat 30. However, as a result of the inherent resiliency of the material and the intimacy of the relationship of the various parts, the flange 38 may not readily position itself as desired in the recess 54 of seat 30. The next st'ep in the assembly of the valve comprises insertion of the stem and nozzle 20 upwardly through the annular aperture in seat 30, and in the process of insertion of the-stem the shoulder 50 engages the resilient tapered shoulder 44 formed on the inner surface of seat 30 forcing shoulder 44 outwardly and insuring the desired registry between the flange l38 and the recess 54 in seat 30.

The stem 20 is forced further into the seat 30 until the upper surface 48 of seat 30 snaps over shoulder 50 to prod-nce a complete valve unit.

A transverse aperture 56 is formed through the stem 20 immediately adjacent to the plug 52. Communication is thereby provided for the passage of the liquid product contained within can to the frusto-conical nozzle portion of stern 20. The manner in which the product and the propellant are discharged from they can is most clearly shown in Fig. 6. While the valve is here illustrated in the vertical position in conformance with the other views of the drawing, it will be clear that in use this dispenser may be operated either in theposition shown, or may be inverted. If the propellant is primarily gaseous or volatile, as might be the case in using this device for certain fire extinguishing or insect repelling product the valve will generally be operated in the position shown. However, where a liquid product is being dispensed best results are generally obtained by inverting the dispenser whereby the product is urged downwardly by the combined effects of gravity and a propelling agent within the can. If gravity is the sole propelling force, it will be essential that the can be inverted to effect downward discharge. The valve stem 2d is tilted to an angular position with respect to the can 10, as shown, to provide a path for the product and the propellant. When so positioned, the product will follow the path indicated by arrows 58 from within the can 10 through a restricted path between the curved seat portion l2 and the frusto-conical surface of plug 52 through the transverse aperture 56 and into the expanding aperture 60 in the nozzle portion of stern 20. In following this gradually expanding path, the product and propellant uniformly expand and are discharged as a homogeneous aerated mass into space.

The valve mechanism above described is illustrated in Fig. 7 as applied to an alternate can construction 62 having cylindrical side walls 64 and a unit end cover 66. The end cover 66 is beaded and rolled in such a manner that a pressure-tight seal 68 is formed between the side walls 64 and the end cover 66. A central aperture 70 is formed in the end plate 66 and has a vertical flange 72 formed thereabout to receive the deformable valve seat 30 already described. In other respects, the valve employed herein is identical to the valve already described and the same cover 14 may be used in association with the valve but the flared portion 24 thereof will not engage the can bead but will be disposed either in static engagement with or a very small distance above the end plate 66. Thus tilting of the valve stem is prevented when the cover is secured thereto and the valve stem is substantially enclosed to insure sanitary storage when not in use.

The valve mechanism is illustrated in use on a bottle in the embodiment of Fig. 8. Therein a valve seat 74 is provided having an enlarged peripheral flange 76 which is disposed between the lip 78 of the bottle 34 and the web portion 80 of an associated cap 82. The cap 82 may be formed in a manner Isimilar to the conventional crown cap provided only that a central aperture is formed therein, said aperture being surrounded by the upwardly extending flange 86. The flange 86 is received in an aperture 88 in the seat 74 in a manner identical with that described above. A valve stem and nozzle 90 identical with that shown in Fig. 3, only the plug portion of which is visible in Fig. 8, is inserted in a central aperture in seat 74 and is tiltable to controllably discharge the product along a path as already described. This valve assembly, when applied to a bottle, is an extremely simple assembly. The flange 76 of seat 74 serves as a sealing gasket between the bottle lip 78 and the metal cap S2. There is no displacement of the seat 74 from the metal cap 82 when the nozzle is tilted as said seat is rigidly clamped in place. A cover may be provided for this embodiment, if desired, said cover being' Ypreferably constructed similar to the cover shown in Fig; 3,

From the above description it will be clear that a valve mechanism is herein provided which is simpler in construction and more positive in use than any valves heretofore proposed for the discharge of a liquid product and volatile propellant.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain the character of my invention that others may, 'by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under varying conditions vof service, while retaining certain features which may properly be said to constitute the essential items of novelty involved, which items are intended to be defined and secured to me by the following claims.

I claim: f

1. A dispensing device for an apertured pressurized container comprising a container cap having an apertured web portion for closing said pressurized container, elongated stem means having -a central aperture extending longitudinally therethrough, a plug integrally formed with said stem means to close one end of said aperture, said stem means having an annular shoulder in spaced relationship to said plug and being transversely apertured adjacent to said plug, and annular valve seat means of a'yieldable material in sealing engagement with the apertured portion of said container cap and extending through the aperture therein, a central portion of said annular valve seat means having an enlarged annular cavity formed therein, said central portion of said annular valve seat means portion defining said cavity having restricted annular portions deiining opposed end limits of said cavity, said restricted annular portions having a diameter sufficiently small to form a seal with said stem means for all positions and degrees of operation of said stem means, one of said restricted portions adjacent said stem means annular shoulder, the other engagaing a stem means portion disposed between the annular shoulder thereof and said stem means transverse aperture whereby said annular cavity is sealed from the exterior thereof, said stem means extending through said seat means, said seat means being compressed between said shoulder and said plug and yieldably urging said plug into sealing engagement with said seat means whereby the portion of said seat means defining said cavity is urged outwardly.

2. A dispensing device for an apertured pressurized container comprising a container cap having an apertured web portion for closing said pressurized container, elongated stem means having a central aperture extending longitudinally therethrough, a plug integrally formed with said stem means to close one end of said aperture, said stem means having an annular shoulder in spaced relationship to said plug and being transversely apertured adjacent to said plug, and annular valve seat means of yieldable material in sealing engagement with the apertured portion of said .container cap and extending through the aperture therein, a central portion of said annular valve seat means having an enlarged annular cavity formed therein, said stem means extending through said seat means, said seat means being compressed between said stem means shoulder and plug and yieldably using said plug into sealing engagement with said seat means whereby the portion of said seat means defining said cavity is urged outwardly, a restricted annular portion of said valve seat means sealingly engaging said stem means between said annular shoulder and said transverse aperture, said restricted annular portion having a diameter sufficiently small to form a seal with said stem means for all positions and degrees of operation of said stem means, said valve seat means annular cavity being sealed from the transverse aperture in said stem means and having readily deformable wall portions defining the same, whereby the surface configuration of the cavity may be distorted without affecting the seal effected be- 7 tween said valve seat means restricted annular portion andsaid stern means. p

3. A dispensing device for an apertured pressurized container comprising a container cap having an apertured web portion for closing said pressurized container, elongated stem means having a frusto-conical central aperture extending longitudinally therethrough, a plug integrally formed with said stem means to close the smaller end of said aperture, said stem means having an annular shoulder in spaced relationship to said plug and being transversely apertured adjacent to said plug, and annular valve seat means of yieldable material in sealing engagement with the apertured portion of said container cap and extending through the aperture therein, a central portion of said annular valve seat means having an enlarged annular cavity formed therein, said stem means extending through said seat means, a restricted annular portion of said seat yieldably engaging said stem means between said central portion and said transverse apertures whereby said annular cavity is sealed from said transverse apertures, said restricted annular portion having a diameter sufficiently small to form a seal with said stem means for all positions and degrees of operation of said stem means, said seat means being compressed between said shoulder and said plug and yieldably urging said plug into sealing engagement with said seat means whereby the portion of said seat means surrounding said cavity is urged outwardly, said seat means having an external annular recess formed therein adjacent to said plug to receive the edge of said cap which denes the aperture therein, and an outwardly extending resilient flange ex tending from said seat means adjacent to said recess to abut against the inner surface of said web.

4. A dispensing device comprising a container cap having an apertured web portion, elongated stem means having a threaded external portion and a frusto-conical central aperture extending longitudinally therethrough, a conical plug integrally formed with said stem means to close the smaller end of said central aperture, said stern means having an annular shoulder in spaced relationship to said plug and being transversely apertured adjacent to said plug, valve seat means of a yieldable material having an axial bore therethrough and being inserted in the aperture of said cap, the central portion of said bore being substantially enlarged to define a cavity, one end of said central bore having a curved edge and a portion of said bore between said cavity and said curved edge being of reduced diameter less than the diameter of said stem, said portion of reduced diameter having a diameter sufticiently small to form a seal with said stem means for all positions and degrees of operation of said stem means, said stem means extending through said seat means whereby said seat means is compressed between said stem means shoulder and the conical surface of said plug to normally maintain said plug in sealing engagement with the curved portion of said seat, said resilient valve seat means portion disposed between siad stem means shoulder and said valve seat means portion of reduced diameter defining a peripheral chamber arranged about a portion of said stem means, said chamber walls being readily yieldable, said seat having an external peripheral recess axially intermediate said reduced portion and said curved edge adapted to engage the web of said container cap, and cover means having a threaded portion in engagement with the threaded portion of said stem, an end portion adapted to engage and seal the other end of said central aperture, and a flared portion to substantially enclose said cap, stem and seat.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 116,433 Glover June 27, 1871 2,704,172 Lapin Mar. l5, 1955 2,744,665 Carlson et al. May 8, 1956 2,779,516 Soler Jan. 29, 1957 

